Airlines
IndiGo receives its first A321 Freighter aircraft for cargo service
Today, IndiGo, the largest airline in India, took delivery of its first freighter aircraft as part of an effort to launch a dedicated cargo service.
Today, IndiGo, the largest airline in India, took delivery of its first freighter aircraft as part of an effort to launch a dedicated cargo service.
The airline recently took delivery of an Airbus A321 freighter that had been completely modified in Singapore from a passenger plane to a freighter configuration. According to IndiGo, the aircraft will be used for both local and international operations, carrying goods like valuables, emergency shipments, perishables, general cargo, documents, and couriers.
The A321 freighter will have 24 places for containers and be able to carry up to 27 tonnes of payload. Through a program run by ST Engineering and Airbus through their joint venture, these are being transformed.
India has had a tremendous increase in its dedicated freighter fleet during the past few years, reaching a total of 28 aircraft. Given that cargo operations, which have fared better than passenger segments during the Covid epidemic, are expected to grow, Indian airlines are aiming to add more dedicated cargo aircraft.
According to data from the Airports Authority of India, during 2021–22 (Apr–Mar), 3.14 million tonnes of freight was handled by all operating airports in India. During the same period, 85.1 million passengers flew by air.
As well-known airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Bluedart strive to add more freight-carrying aircraft, the number of specialized freighter aircraft in India is expected to rise.
